This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Sunday is getaway day for nearly every team, which typically leads to lots of early swings and the potential for quick, lower-scoring outings. This could manifest itself multiple times on this particular Sunday with some top-tier aces on the bump. Conversely, there are some poor options among starting pitchers, which offers plenty of offensive stack options.
For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS Slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well.) To join those channels, e-mail support@rotowire.com.
PITCHER
Mike Foltynewicz, ATL vs. NYM ($7,500): Foltynewicz is starting to make good on his swing and miss potential, bringing a 28.9 percent strikeout rate into Sunday. Yes, that's above his prior Major League production, but it's only a slight elevation from his track record at Triple-A, suggesting he's coming into his own at the highest level. He's still walking more than you'd like, and the Mets have faired well in the early going against righties, but the strikeout upside makes Foltynewicz a nice GPP target, while giving him a stable floor for cash games as well.
GPP Fade: Corey Kluber, CLE at BAL: ($11,500): The fade here is simply the price tag. Kluber and the Indians check in as the highest favorite Sunday afternoon, while also bringing the lowest total to the docket, so clearly there's plenty to love. But even if you consider Kluber a lock for 40+ points, you'll be stuck with less than $3,000 per player for all of your offense, which means your value picks have to be spot on at every position, or Kluber won't be enough to carry you.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Francisco Liriano, DET vs. KAN ($6,800): Liriano has fanned 14 over 17.2 innings while the Royals are striking out 25.3 percent of the time against left-handed pitching. Pair that with a matchup against a pitcher allowing over a run per inning, and the Tigers are huge favorites in this spot. The Ks and win potential give Liriano 30+ point upside at almost $5,000 less than the slate's top-priced pitcher in Kluber.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
James McCann, DET vs. KAN ($2,400): There's not usually great reason to choose a catcher here, and there's even less reason to dip down into the bottom tier options on normal nights. But if you're set on rolling with Kluber Sunday, McCann looks like he can help you, so long as he's in the lineup, no guarantee for a catcher with an afternoon game. McCann has hit safely in five straight, scoring over nine points four times. He also posted a .413 wOBA, 160 wRC+ and .284 ISO against lefties last season. Milwaukee's Jesus Aguilar ($2,700) is a terrific pivot if he's in the lineup.
SECOND BASE
Matt Carpenter, STL vs. CIN ($3,400): Carpenter's .182 batting average is likely going to scare off many novice managers, leading to lower ownership. But he presents better than that indicates after sporting a .378 wOBA and .235 ISO against lefties a year ago. He's likely a better GPP gamble, but he continues to hit in the upper third of a lineup in a game with an 8.5 total while facing Luis Castillo and his 6.75 ERA.
THIRD BASE
Miguel Andujar, NYY vs. TOR ($2,900): I usually jump around from position to position, matchup to matchup, when penning this column. So while Andujar reads early, he was written a bit late and fits right into a mold of unintentionally suggesting options that can help you fit Kluber into your lineup. Andujar has nine hits, eight for extra bases, six RBI and six runs in his last five games and faces Jaime Garcia, who allowed a .345 wOBA to righties on the road last season.
SHORTSTOP
Dansby Swanson, ATL vs. NYM ($3,600): Swanson seems to qualify as the worst of the best here, as the options at short fall off the cliff after him, immediately dropping $500 to the White Sox Tim Anderson. Swanson has hit safely in all but four games to date, nine times doing so multiple times in an outing. Mets' starter Zack Wheeler allowed a .380 wOBA on the road to righties a year ago, solidifying Swanson's worth here.
OUTFIELD
Nick Castellanos, DET vs. KAN ($3,600): It's a small sample size, but Royals' starter Eric Skoglund doesn't look like he's capable of retiring big league hitters. Through 27.1 frames, he's allowed a .435 wOBA, 44 hits (18 for extra bases) and 29 earned runs. Any buy in on the Tigers seems prudent, but Castellanos appears to be preferred, after posting a .387 wOBA and 142 wRC+ against lefties a year ago.
Ryan Braun, MIL vs. MIA ($3,200): Much is being said on the fading star than is Braun, but the fact is he's hit safely in four straight, with four of his six hits going for extra bases while also driving in six runs. Marlins' lefty Caleb Smith has a 6.89 ERA, and while the Brewers lineup doesn't appear to immediately offer any sure things against southpaws, Braun did post a solid .360 wOBA and 119 wRC+ against them a year ago, suggesting he can outperform his tag.
Denard Span, TAM vs. MIN ($2,700): Span's 17 RBI from atop the Rays order can be taken with a grain of salt. But the .355 wOBA and 127 wRC+ against righties is well worth mentioning when a matchup with Phil Hughes, who has allowed a .436 wOBA and 1.039 OPS to lefties since the start of 2016, comes calling Sunday.
UTILITY
Lorenzo Cain, MIL vs. MIA ($3,700): We briefly touched on Marlins starter Caleb Smith's struggles, so grabbing bats atop the Brewers order should provide some reward. Cain had a .349 wOBA and 117 wRC+ against lefties last year and is off to a torrid start against southpaws through three weeks, while Smith has allowed a .377 wOBA to righties in his brief career.
